This library was begun in 1975 by a non-profit Friends of the Library volunteer organization as a community library.  In the late 1980's, the City annexed the land which included the library, and in 1990 the Friends made an agreement with the City for the library to join the Hillsboro Public Library system. 

Originally housed in the old Tanasbourne Mall on the east side of 185th, the library moved into larger mall space in the Tanasbourne Village Mall on the west side of 185th in 1996.  The library was 18,500 sq. ft. and housed 140,000 items,with 63 public seats and 23 Internet computers. The collection had a more extensive reference section than the Shute Branch Library and provided curriculum support through the first two years of college.

In May of 2007 the library's lease with the Mall ended and the library's functions moved to a much larger facility, the new Main Library, at 2850 NE Brookwood Parkway in the geographic center of Hillsboro.  The City purchased this building and the Library Foundation provided additional fund raising to open the facility.